THE Evening Gazette is aiming to show off the pride of Teesside schools to the North-east with the third annual Schools Awards.

We have again teamed up with Northumbrian Water and our sister paper The Journal, in Newcastle, to celebrate unsung work of those making a difference to our children’s education.

The awards aim to recognise the inspirational teachers, dedicated staff, hard- working pupils and the outstanding achievements of all schools.

A spokesman for Northumbrian Water said: “Northumbrian Water provides water and waste water services to 2.6 million customers in the North-east of England and is currently the national Utility Company of the Year.

“As a responsible business we have a corporate responsibility to use our resources for the benefit, not only of our customers and shareholders, but also for the wider community - that commitment has earned the company further national award-winning recognition.

“As a result Northumbrian Water is immersed in local community life and believes that the future education, health and wellbeing of our children is of prime importance. Schools are at the heart of our communities and by sponsoring the ‘Schools Awards’ we are able to celebrate two things.

“First, the achievements and outstanding contributions that individuals have made to our children’s lives. Secondly, we are rewarding the innovative projects that have enhanced the curriculum, providing our children with a greater understanding of the environment, the community and how to live healthier lives.

“Schools from across our region are working hard to give our children a well rounded all inclusive education and we are proud to be part of this celebration of excellence.”

Last year the Tees Valley boasted three winners in the Schools Awards.

Yarm Primary School won School Newspaper of the Year, Irene Wase of Westlands School, Thornaby, scooped the award for teaching assistant and Kath Turner, of Holy Trinity School, Seaton Carew, won primary school teacher of the year.

Peter Davies, headteacher at Yarm Primary School, said: “The main thing about the newspaper is it gives pupils a real experience of writing to deadline and working under pressure and using skills that they have learnt such as listening to people and posing questions.

“They can also use ICT skills and we have got very good ICT facilities here in school.

“They also developed skills of negotiation and co-operation and we were very proud of the finished article and the quality of the newspaper.

“The added bonus of the award helps us show the parents and the wider community what our pupils are capable of.”

The school used it’s £1,000 prize to by extra Apple Mac computers.

Page 3: The categories to be entered

The categories to be entered

SCHOOLS entering this year’s awards could win up to £1,000 and there will be prizes for runners-up.

There are five individual awards:

Inspirational Primary School Teacher - for a teacher in a nursery, first or primary school who goes the extra mile to give children the best start in their education.

Inspirational Secondary School Teacher - for a teacher in middle, high or secondary school who goes above and beyond the call of duty to get the best out of their children, regardless of ability.

Caretaker of the Year - for a caretaker whose dedication makes them an invaluable member of the school community.

School Support Staff of the Year - for a teaching assistant or any other member of support or administrative staff who makes a real difference to individual children, classes or the whole school.

Headteacher of the Year - for an outstanding school leader, whose guidance and leadership has helped create a dynamic learning environment where the pupils are happy and encouraged to reach their full potential.

There are also five project awards to recognise schemes being carried out within the school, in its grounds, or in the local community.

The projects can either be ongoing or an idea for the coming academic year. They can be carried out by a class, year group or even a whole school.

The categories are:

Environment Award - for a project that improves some aspect of the environment in or around the school.

Sustainable School Award - how the whole school has made or is making changes to become more sustainable.

Healthy Living Award - for a class or whole school who holds National Healthy School Status and makes it a priority to have healthy lifestyles. This could be by exercising more, drinking more water, eating healthy foods, having an anti-bullying or drug awareness campaign, or growing vegetables to use in the kitchen. With outstanding practice in at least two of the four core themes of Personal, Social and Health Education, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Emotional Well-being we would like to see how you have managed to raise awareness and instigate changes within the school.

Active Community - how the pupils are actively involved in helping their local community, for example, by visiting old people, holding coffee mornings in the school or raising money for their local communities.

School Newspaper Award - open to all schools who have produced a newspaper in 2007/2008. To qualify, schools must produce a publication that contains relevant news for their audience, and some coverage - either in the newspaper or in an insert flyer - on the value of water or the importance of sanitation.

To make a nomination in the School Awards write to Joanna Desira, School Awards, Gazette Media Company, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3AZ, or email joanna.desira@eveninggazette.co.uk , including contact details for nominator and nominee, or go to www.gazettelive.co.uk for a nomination form which can be returned to Joanna Desira.